And Coulibaly Makes Forty Three

Sheffield United U21 3 v Wigan Athletic U21 3

U21 Professional Development League

Tuesday 10 January 2023

Played at York City

SUFC 2022/23 Game #41

Sheffield United Community Foundation A 2 v (Manchester) City In The Community C 2

Community & Education Football Alliance Men's Cup

Wednesday 11 January 2023

Played at Handsworth

SUFC 2022/23 Game #42

What the fuck was he thinking? We were sat in the downstairs bar of;

House Of Trembling Madness (Lendal)

14 Lendal, York YO1 8AA

one of our "regular" York haunts as the city becomes our U21 home. Door opens. Matey comes in wearing an eye-catching grey woolen greatcoat. Vaguely military. The bar goes silent. If someone had been playing the piano (hint, there isn't one), they would have stopped. All eyes on this fairly distinguished gentleman. And particularly on the fucking Nazi SS flashes on his lapel.

What the fuck was he thinking?

At that stage, I was well down a;

Verdant Brewing Co (Cornwall), Big Stupid Westy, West Coast IPA on Keg at 6.5%

I'm reasonably confident that's the Mosaic version. It was brilliant. Not hazy, but just a bit opaque. There was an insanely big fruit hit. I could listen to peach bids. But, there was a lot of tangerine on it for me. Sugared up an' all. There wasn't too much of a hop bitter take me home. But, the balance felt riiiiiight. I don't know if it was suitable for invading Poland.

The Professional Development League basically has had a mid season break. This is our first league game since the 3-0 win against Crewe Alex on 25 November. Although there have been some Premier League Cup games since then.

Going into today, United were six points clear of Burnley at the top. P14 W9 D2 L3 Pts29. Today's opponents the 'Tics were in third on 20 points. We won 2-0 away at Wigan in September, with a Theo Williams brace.

The player churn at the moment seems very high. Kids going out on loan. Kids being brought back from one club and loaned out to another. First teamers recovering from injury sent down for rehab. A colossal forty two players used across the previous 19 league and cup games.

And. Ismaila Coulibaly makes it Forty Three.

After coming on at Millwall on 90. And just doing the +, Ismaila lasted an hour here, before being subbed off for the lesser spotted Antwoine Hackford. Coulibaly basically anonymous.

Ismaila set up in a very distant and disjointed midfield. Chaz Staniland anchoring, often deep, in front of the three. The other Millwall pluser, Andre Brooks mainly left and Ismaila mainly right. They never seemed close enough to each other to be called teammates. I hope they shook each others hand at the end, because that would have been it.

When Hackford came on, he partnered Will Osula up top, Louise Marsh withdrawing into "the ten". I'm not going to say that worked any better. Because it didn't.

Finley Potter in the middle of the three. Ky Gordon right. Nix Gomis t'other side. Callum Hiddlestone number one. Generally, and collectively, sloppy. Potter (I think) and Hiddlestone (deffo) getting into a right old pickle to give the ball away and be horrendously out of position for Wigan's first on 25. Hiddlestone coming out and not getting there for Wigan's second (and equaliser) on 49. Potter (I think) going to ground and missing the tackle, Callum clumsily out with his feet first to concede a penalty on 81. Looked to me like the penalty hit the post (rather than - was pushed onto the post), but, fair do, Callum did get down to that side. But, a 'Tic came in first from outside the box and put the rebound away for the 3-3 equaliser.

Potter and Hiddlestone have had much better games. And they need to get back into a groove.

I suppose Osula caught the eye most. I've said it before. He looks like a striker. Moves like a striker. And does striker things. He was in a physical battle all night. But, nice and calm, no red mist. Oli McBurnie was in the stands as a spectator. He probably had the fucking red mist just watching.

Will scored on 17. Lovely bit of short burst movement to create the space. Trick n flick turn on the edge of the box and efficient left foot finish. Andre Brooks put us two zip immediately. Marsh turning nicely on halfway. Finds Brooks just inside on the burst. He takes it from the centre circle to the edge of the box and calmly slots home.

Then, the two Wigan goals fiasco. Some (for once) neat midfield linking put Hackford in a yard of space, he drove on and was brought down for a penalty on 77. Osula put the penalty away to put us 3-2. Before that disappointing Wigan leveler.

I haven't mentioned Jili Buyabu, who was left wing back. And U for Unidentified Trialist wide right. Trialist lasted the 90. And, well frankly, he was the catch the eye standout behind Willie O. Fast and comfortable with the ball. Fitted in well with "the system". Got a bit carried away with overhit crosses when he was released wide right. And must have fucking wondered what was going on inside him with the keeper and three.

All told. Not awful. Could have won. But sloppy at times.

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